ProCase Noise vs KONNAO Upgrade USB for adjustable headphones

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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.

Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison

If you want serious hearing protection for a young child in genuinely loud places, choose ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones; if you need a wired USB-C headset for school, tablets or everyday listening, choose KONNAO Upgrade USB Type. They look similar at a glance — both are blue, kid-focused, over-ear designs — but they do two completely different jobs, and picking the wrong one is the whole problem.

ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones vs KONNAO Upgrade USB Type at a Glance

• ProCase's biggest strength: Certified passive noise isolation (NRR 21dB, SNR 27dB, ANSI S3.19 and CE EN352-1 certified) in a folding, adjustable headband built for loud events.

• ProCase's biggest trade-off: It makes no sound at all. No audio, no microphone, no cable — it's hearing protection, not a headset, and it can feel snug until the headband is stretched out.

• KONNAO's biggest strength: A wired USB-C audio headset with a dynamic driver, a built-in microphone and a switchable 85dB/94dB volume limit for kids.

• KONNAO's biggest trade-off: Its noise control is passive only — it muffles sound by sealing your ears, not by certified attenuation — and it's wired, so it needs a USB-C port.

• Who each is for: ProCase for toddlers and little kids at monster truck shows, fireworks, air shows and other ear-splitting events; KONNAO for kids who want to actually listen to something on a tablet, laptop or phone with USB-C.

ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones: Who It's For

ProCase's earmuffs are a single-purpose tool, and they're honest about it. The shell is solid ABS with thickened noise-dampening foam, and the attenuation is certified to both ANSI S3.19 in the US and CE EN352-1 in the EU, with an NRR of 21dB and an SNR of 27dB. That's the number that matters here: these are designed to pull loud environments down to something a small pair of ears can handle. Think monster jam shows, fireworks, air shows, shooting ranges, concerts, airplane cabins and crowded sports events. They also come up a lot for kids with autism or sensory processing issues, where the goal isn't music — it's reducing sensory overload so the day stays manageable.

The adjustable part is where ProCase earns its place. The telescopic arms stretch up to 32mm (about 1.3 inches) on each side, so the same pair covers a range of head sizes as a child grows, and the 360° rotatable cups plus a padded, pressure-diffusing headband are there to keep the fit comfortable over longer wear. The pivot is holeless, which sounds like a small detail until you've watched hair get caught in a hinge. They also fold flat for storage, which matters if you're the one carrying them in a bag alongside everything else.

Who should skip it? Anyone expecting audio. There's no driver, no jack, no microphone and no volume control — you cannot play a video through these. ProCase also notes the fit runs a little tight out of the box for maximum isolation, and suggests stretching the headband over a box for a day or two. That's normal for this category, but it's worth knowing before you hand them to an impatient kid. In my opinion, the ProCase is the pick when the priority is protecting hearing, not entertaining.

KONNAO Upgrade USB Type: Who It's For

The KONNAO is the opposite idea: a real headset for a kid who wants to hear something. It's a wired, over-ear design with a USB-C connector — no 3.5mm jack, so it pairs with devices that actually have USB-C: many tablets, laptops, newer phones and school-issued gear. Inside is a dynamic driver with a 20 ohm impedance and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, which is the standard full-range spec you'd expect for everyday listening — videos, games, class calls, music.

The feature that will matter most to parents is the switchable 85dB/94dB volume limit. That's the core kid-headphone safety idea: cap how loud the output can get so a child can't accidentally crank it. There's also a built-in microphone, which turns this into a workable headset for online lessons, video calls and voice chat, and volume control sits on the remote rather than on the cups. KONNAO backs it with a 2-year warranty, and the whole thing weighs about 0.22 kg, so it's light enough for smaller heads.

The trade-offs are worth being clear about. The noise control is passive — the over-ear seal blocks some ambient sound, but there's no certified attenuation figure like the ProCase has, so don't treat this as hearing protection for a fireworks show. It's also wired and USB-C only; if your child's device uses a standard headphone jack, this simply won't plug in. And the plastic build is typical of kid headsets rather than heavy-duty gear. In my opinion, the KONNAO is the right call when the child needs to listen, talk and be heard — school, tablets, gaming, calls — not when they need their ears shielded from a jet engine.

Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?

• Best for loud events (fireworks, monster jam, air shows, concerts) → ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones, which is built specifically for certified attenuation.

• Best for actual audio, video and calls → KONNAO Upgrade USB Type, which has a driver and a microphone.

• Best for adjustable fit as a child grows → ProCase, whose telescopic arms extend up to 32mm per side, versus the KONNAO's general "adjustable" kid sizing.

• Best for volume safety while listening → KONNAO, with its 85dB/94dB switchable limit.

• Best for sensory needs and autism support → ProCase, thanks to the NRR 21dB / SNR 27dB isolation and pressure-diffusing headband.

• Best for USB-C devices (tablets, laptops, newer phones) → KONNAO, which is wired USB-C with remote volume control.

• Best for packing and travel → ProCase, which folds flat; the KONNAO is a standard over-ear headset.

• Best for parents who need both jobs covered → buy both. They genuinely don't overlap, and that's the honest answer for a family doing loud outings and screen time.

My Verdict

If I had to pick one, I'd buy the ProCase Noise Cancelling Headphones — because the situations that actually scare parents (a screaming monster truck, a fireworks finale, a sensory meltdown in a crowd) are the ones where nothing else in this comparison helps. The KONNAO is a perfectly sensible kid headset for listening and schoolwork, but it's a different product solving a different problem. My recommendation: choose by the job. Hearing protection first, then add the KONNAO when your child needs to hear something through a USB-C device. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit to either.

FAQ

how to adjust headphones

On the ProCase, pull each telescopic arm outward — up to about 32mm per side — until the cups sit centered over the ears, then let the padded headband settle. On the KONNAO, adjust the over-ear headband to the same end point: cups flat over the ears, not pinching. If the ProCase feels tight at first, ProCase itself suggests stretching it over a box for a day or two.

how to adjust headphones volume

Only the KONNAO has volume control — it's on the remote, and the headset also has the 85dB/94dB limit switch for kid-safe listening. The ProCase has no electronics, no volume control and no audio at all; it only reduces outside sound through passive isolation.

how to adjust headphones sound

The KONNAO's sound comes from its dynamic driver (20 ohm, 20 Hz–20,000 Hz) fed over USB-C, so adjust it with your device's audio settings plus the inline remote. The ProCase can't be tuned for sound, because it doesn't produce any — its only "adjustment" is fit, and a good seal is what maximizes its certified noise reduction.

how to adjust headphones on iphone

The KONNAO is USB-C wired, so it needs a USB-C port — check whether your iPhone model uses USB-C before buying, and otherwise use an adapter. The ProCase needs no connection at all, so there's nothing to pair or configure on an iPhone; you just put it on.

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